Florida Department of CorrectionsJulie L. Jones, Secretary

No Escapes from Secure Perimeter Prisons in Last Two Fiscal Years

In FY 2001-02, there were 63 completed escapes, 62 or 98.4% were recaptured as of July 19, 2002. Of the 62 who were recaptured, 44 or 71.0% were recaptured within 24 hours of their escape.

None of those 63 escapes were from inside a correctional institution. 58 (92.1%) were from non-secure work release/contract centers; 3 (4.8%) were from a work camp/road prison, and 2 (3.2%) of the inmates who escaped were housed in prisons but were on an outside work detail when they escaped.

There were 11 attempted (and foiled) escapes in FY 2001-02.

The decline in escapes from inside prisons can be attributed to three factors: a zero tolerance policy for escapes; the implementation of a comprehensive security audit program; and replacing and upgrading perimeter barriers including fences, razor wire and installing electronic detection systems.